Reinsurance (Retained and Reinsurer Balance Sheets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Assets [Abstract]
Total investments	$ 1,380,872		$ 975,527
Cash and cash equivalents	208,664		142,013
Accrued investment income	23,915		13,623
Deferred acquisition costs, net	39,377		24,530			$ 13,456
Reinsurance recoverables	6,155		38,579
Other assets	27,085		25,645
Total assets	1,686,068		1,219,917
Liabilities:
Policyholder liabilities	1,553,502		1,088,618
Deferred gain on coinsurance transactions	35,464		28,589
Other liabilities	57,232		16,954
Total liabilities	1,646,198		1,134,161
Stockholders' Equity:
Voting common stock	4		4
Additional paid-in capital	137,991		138,277
Accumulated deficit	(53,276)		(70,159)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(52,943)		2,634
Total Midwest Holding Inc.'s stockholders' equity	31,776		70,756
Noncontrolling interests	8,094		15,000
Total stockholders' equity	39,870	$ 64,496	85,756	$ 80,128	$ 81,609	$ 86,330
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,686,068		1,219,917
Retained
Assets [Abstract]
Total investments	693,180		414,418
Cash and cash equivalents	112,859		95,406
Accrued investment income	8,790		3,853
Deferred acquisition costs, net	39,377		24,530
Reinsurance recoverables	49,264
Other assets	43,796		27,834
Total assets	947,266		566,041
Liabilities:
Policyholder liabilities	815,958		427,807
Deferred gain on coinsurance transactions	35,464		28,589
Other liabilities	55,974		23,889
Total liabilities	907,396		480,285
Stockholders' Equity:
Voting common stock	4		4
Additional paid-in capital	137,991		138,277
Accumulated deficit	(53,276)		(70,159)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(52,943)		2,634
Total Midwest Holding Inc.'s stockholders' equity	31,776		70,756
Noncontrolling interests	8,094		15,000
Total stockholders' equity	39,870		85,756
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	947,266		566,041
Reinsurance
Assets [Abstract]
Total investments	687,692		561,109
Cash and cash equivalents	95,805		46,607
Accrued investment income	15,125		9,770
Reinsurance recoverables			38,579
Reinsurance payable	(43,109)
Other assets	(16,711)		(2,189)
Total assets	738,802		653,876
Liabilities:
Policyholder liabilities	737,544		660,811
Other liabilities	1,258		(6,935)
Total liabilities	738,802		653,876
Stockholders' Equity:
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 738,802		$ 653,876